History

The Cultural Center of the Philippines

        The Cultural Center of the Philippines was created in 1966 through Executive Order no. 30, with the purpose of promoting and preserving Filipino arts and culture. It was formally inaugurated on September 8, 1969, starting a three month long inaugural festival opened by the epic musical Dularawan. Since then, the CCP has sought to truly embody its logo of katotohanan (truth), kagandahan (beauty) and kabutihan (goodness). The best artists from all over the country and around the world have graced the CCP theaters and galleries, enthralling Filipinos for over thirty years.

The CCP is attached to the Office of the President and is under the umbrella of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts for policy and program coordination.

Performing companies representing dance, music and theater reside within the CCP. It has four resident dance companies: Ballet Philippines, Philippine Ballet Theatre, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, and the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company. Tanghalang Pilipino is the CCP's resident theater company while music is represented by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the UST Symphony Orchestra, the Philippine Madrigal SIngers and the National Music Competitions for Young Artists Foundation (NAMCYA).

The CCP also covers the mass media as well as the literary and visual arts, encouraging the growth of aspiring artists in these fields through numerous workshops, seminars, anthologies, exhibits, symposia as well as competitions and awards.

Through its Cultural Exchange Program, the CCP supports the growth and development of arts councils all over the country thourgh relevant workshops and seminars. In addition, the CCP has also established ties with various international organizations such as the Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts Center, the Conseil International des Organisations de Festivals de Folklore et d'Arts Traditionnels (CIOFF), the World Dance Alliance and the International Theater Institute. Through exchange programs with these organizations and with other institutions, Filipinos have been able to glimpse the beauty of different cultures from various countries, withnessing many a triumphant performance from highly-acclaimed artists all over the world.

The CCP continues to nurture and promote artistic excellence, Filipino aesthetics and identity, and cultural values towards a humanistic global

society. With the CCP Business and Master Development Plan now being implemented, the CCP complex is poised to truly  becoming a mecca for arts and culture in Asia.

TANGHALANG NICANOR ABELLARDO(Main Theater) 

            The Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo or commonly known as the CCP Main Theater is named after the Father of Philippine sonata. He did his first composition at the age of 8, "Ang Unang Buko", a waltz dedicated to his grandmother. He became the first Filipino to compose a piano and orchestra concerto, "Concerto in B flat minor". Among his immortal compositions are, "Nasaan ka Irog", "Kundiman ng Luha", "Mutya ng Pasig" and "Ave Maria". Upon entering the orchestra section, guests are greeted by National Artists for Visual arts Vicente Manansalas brass sculpture the "Seven Arts". It also features a house curtain tapestry patterned after the "Genesis" (Simula) painting of the National Artist Hernando Ocampo.

      

TANGHALANG AURELIO TOLENTINO(Little Theater) 

The Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino, commonly known as the Little Theater, is named after the great Filipino playwright and dramatists who lived at the end of the country's Spanish Era. Aurelio Tolentino wrote his most celebrated masterpiece, "Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas" in 1903, in the midst of the celebration for the declaration of Philippine Independence be the Americans in Kawit, Cavite. Most of his pieces depict his interest for our Liberation from Colonizers.

 

TANGHALANG HUSENG BATUTE(Studio Theater)

            "Huseng Batute" is one of the many pseudonyms adapted by Jose Corazon de Jesus.  He was crowned "Hari ng Balagtasan" and among his literary

 seating capacity  1,821 people

 stage dimensions

 18m x 18m

 proscenium width

 18m

 height  9M

seating capacity  421 people

 stage dimensions

 13m x 14m

 proscenium width

 1.4m

 height  6m

works is the nationalist poem "Sa Dakong Silangan" (In the East).  He also wrote the lyrics to various songs including Contancio de Guzman's "Bayan Ko" {My Country) and Nicanor Abelardo's "Kundiman ng Luha" (Kundiman of Tears).  The venue named after him The lone dressing room (which can accomodate five persons at a time) is situated at the Lower Studio Level leading to the Buffeteria. The lobby of Tanghalang Huseng Batute, also known as the Studio Theater, is highlighted by a work of the Paete Wood Carvers after the painting of National Artists for Visual Arts Carlos V. Francisco entitled Abuse of Spanish Authorities.approximate

seating capacity

 250

TANGHALANG FRANCISCO BALAGTAS(Folk Arts Theater) The theater takes its name form Fancisco Baltazar A.k.a. Francisco Balagtas, revered as one of the country's greatest poets. "Florante at Laura" is one of his best known and most beloved works and his poetry "Balagtasismo" has shaped generations of Filipino poets. The popular debate in verse - "balagtasan" is also named after him.seating capacity 8,458 people

 stage dimensions

 20m x 20m

 proscenium width

 20m

 height  10m

TANGHALANG MANUEL CONDE(Dream Theatre) 

            The Tanghalang Manuel Conde, is named in honor of Manuel Conde, a leading figure in Philippine Cinema. Manuel Pabustan Urbano in real life, he directed "Ghengis Khan", the first Filipino Film distributed worldwide by United Artist. He was best remembered for his "Juan Tamad" series in which he starred and directed. The venue is used for film and video screenings, lecture forum, seminar or mini-conference hall.             The theater is part of the joint endeavor of the CCP and Dream Broadcasting System the only company in the Philippines that offers Sattelite Direct to Home TV, (DTH) to promote "Art Films and Videos" in the Philippines. An art film and video work that has received or garnered local or international awards and critical recognition for its quality, intent and form. It is also capable of receiving and showing films that are broadcast via DTHThe venue has a seating capacity of 100.

GALLERIES and EXHIBIT HALLS 

BULWAGANG JUAN LUNA(Main Gallery) 

            The CCP main gallery is named after one of the greatest Filipino artist and figures of the Philippine Revolution, Juan Luna, whose most famous work is the Majestic Spollarium.  BULWAGANG FERNANDO AMORSOLO(Small Gallery)  

            The gallery is named after the first National Artist for Painting who immortalized the quality of Philippine sunlight in his evocative paintings of the Philippine countryside. Many of his historical works graced textbooks and calendars, shaping the visual imagination of many generations of Filipino children.   BULWAGANG CARLOS V.FRANCISCO (Little Theater Lobby)  

            The lobby is named after the National Artist for Painting Carlos V. Francisco who is credited with the revival of Philippine murals. He was also among the first – generation modernists who, with Victorio C. Edades and Galo B. Ocampo made up the pioneering triumvirate that led Philippine art to new directions.    PASILYO VICTORIO EDADES(Fourth floor museum hallway 

            The hallway was named after National Artist for Painting Victorio Edades who pioneered Philippine modern art. He first attained nationwide recognition with the life size multi-figural Bonifacio monument, which was unveiled in 1933. Some other well – known works by the artist include the Oblation at the UP Campus and the statue of President Ramon Magsaysay in the GSIS lobby.  PASILYO VICENTE MANANSALA(Second floor hallway)

            The gallery is named after national artist Vicente Manansala, a member of the Thirteen Models and neorealists who was at the forefront of modernist movement in Philippine Art .

THE CCP MUSEUM

The Museo ng Kalinangang Pilipino is an integrated humanities museum established

in 1988. It gathers together the works of Filipino traditional artists and preserves Filipino artistic traditions; studies and interprets these to provide a deeper understanding of Filipino national culture evolving with and for the people; and strengthens the people's awareness of the integral, dynamic role of creativity and artistic expression in national life and culture.           A permanent exhibit entitled "Diwa: Buhay, Ritwal at Sining" showcases significant Filipino artistic traditions and explores the development of Philippine art and aesthetics in the socio-cultural context.           Another important permanent exhibit is the CCP Collection of Traditional Asian Musical Instruments from the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, Thailand, China and Korea.           The CCP Museum also presents special changing exhibitions, provides curatorial assistance, and organizes workshops on indigenous art forms.